Speech detection in spatial and nonspatial speech maskers
Uma Balakrishnan1, Richard L Freyman
1Department of Communication Disorders, University of Massachusetts, 358 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA. umab@vermontel.net
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|June 6, 2008
Summary
Spatial separation significantly improves speech intelligibility in noisy environments. Even minimal spatial differences between target speech and masking sounds can lead to substantial masking release, enhancing speech detection.
Area of Science:
- Auditory perception
- Speech processing
- Psychoacoustics
Background:
- Masking release is crucial for speech intelligibility in complex auditory scenes.
- Spatial cues are known to influence auditory stream segregation and improve speech perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of perceived spatial differences on masking release in speech detection.
- To determine if masker understandability affects spatial masking release.
Main Methods:
- A 4-alternative forced-choice (4AFC) speech detection paradigm was used.
- Speech targets were presented from a front loudspeaker, while maskers were presented from front and/or right loudspeakers with controlled timing differences.
- Maskers included natural and time-reversed speech, with varying spatial configurations (nonspatial, RF, FR).
Main Results:
- A significant masking release of 17-20 dB was observed for both natural and time-reversed spatial maskers compared to the nonspatial masker.
- Spatial release from masking was evident even when spatial differences were subtle and barely perceptible.
Conclusions:
- Spatial separation of speech maskers provides substantial release from informational masking, irrespective of masker intelligibility.
- Even minimal spatial cues can effectively enhance speech detection in the presence of competing speech maskers.
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